jeer 1 of 2

as in snort
a vocal sound made to express scorn or disapproval ignored the jeers of the other team's fans and just focused on making her free throw shot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

jeer

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word jeer distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of jeer are fleer, flout, gibe, scoff, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

When could fleer be used to replace jeer?

In some situations, the words fleer and jeer are roughly equivalent. However, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

In what contexts can flout take the place of jeer?

The words flout and jeer can be used in similar contexts, but flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

Where would gibe be a reasonable alternative to jeer?

While the synonyms gibe and jeer are close in meaning, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

When can scoff be used instead of jeer?

While in some cases nearly identical to jeer, scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

When is it sensible to use sneer instead of jeer?

The words sneer and jeer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of jeer
Noun
The footage shows Vance smiling and waving to the crowd from his box seat as the jeers continued. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025 The former Ohio senator responded to the jeers with a smile while waving to the crowd and sipping his wine, as seen in a video captured by Andrew Roth, a global affairs correspondent for the Guardian. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
And fans eagerly cheer or jeer players and managers who argue with the umpires. Arthur Daemmrich, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2025 Trump gives update on potential buyers Other members have protested without censure In other State of the Union speeches or joint addresses to Congress by the president, representatives have jeered or interrupted speeches, sometimes without consequence. Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jeer
Noun
  • Some friends prescribed a healthy snort of bourbon and a trip to the doctor.
    Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2025
  • There was always laughter, followed up by an occasional snort sometimes!
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Presumably, Justine is not thrilled by Elon’s treatment of Vivian Jenna Wilson, one of the twins, who is now a transgender woman, and whom Elon has publicly ridiculed along with the trans community as a whole.
    Kerry A. Dolan, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The president has ridiculed each of the major broadcast networks, which are regulated by Carr’s FCC, and suggested CBS, ABC and NBC could see their broadcast licenses pulled or at least face more scrutiny from the federal government over coverage of him.
    Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Despite the show's ruminations revolving around Dorian's ego, there is no vanity in this performance where Snook sweats, sneers, and dashes across stage.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • One is Giovanni Battista Moroni’s Portrait of a Woman (ca. 1575), in which a leery-eyed woman stares down at her viewer, pressing her lips into the faintest of sneers.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The show and its participants were even parodied on Saturday Night Live in January, with comedian Ego Nwodim playing Amuli, and other cast members mocking people’s poor conversation skills and unintelligent dating decisions.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Altman mocked Musk by making a counter-offer to buy X for $9.7 billion.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Little things, like the close-ups of Moss’s face with her little smirk, used so frequently as to lose all meaning, began to irritate me.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The fifth season began with the smirk seen ’round the globe, pitting June Osborne (Moss) against Serena Joy Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski).
    Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Her comments were followed by a loud chorus of boos and shouts from the audience.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Stroman then walked off the soggy mound to the chorus of loud boos from a light crowd before undergoing X-rays at Yankee Stadium.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • League sources stifle their snickers in public while privately marveling at the owner’s ceaseless stupidity. 3.
    Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • So he must be placed in the Apparition section, next to ghosts like John Barron, sharing a snicker with Ivana.
    Greg Marotta, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jeer. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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